MAKING SENCE OF THE PICTOGRAMS
Pictograms are one of the mandatory labelling requirements under the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals) which represent the physical, health, and environmental hazards of Hazardous chemicals.
Hazardous Chemicals are substances that present a risk to a person’s health at the workplace, either short or long term, if not handled or stored correctly. Health hazards such as skin irritants, carcinogens, or respiratory sensitisers can have an adverse effect on a worker's health as a result of direct contact or exposure to the chemical, usually through inhalation, skin contact, or ingestion.
Pictograms allow for a consistent format that's easily identifiable on hazardous chemical labels. There are nine categories, illustrated by a black symbol on a white background framed within a red border, and are printed on the labels of hazardous chemicals to indicate the hazard type.
The classification, and the pictogram in most cases, will also be listed in the SDS under Section 15.
Hazardous chemicals also have strict storage restrictions, handling requirements, specific record keeping, and risk assessments that apply to them being held on site.
The pictogram chart above is a simplified version of the information below and is available as a downloadable wall chart here. It can be used as a handy reference point to display in your Chemical Storage Area as an ongoing reminder to all staff involved in the storage and use of Hazardous Chemicals.
The following looks at each of the nine pictograms and the types of hazards associated with them.
Physical, Health, and Environmental Hazards
Goods facilitating physical hazards include, but are not limited to;
Explosives
Flammable gases, liquids and solids
Oxidising gases, liquids and solids
Pyrophoric liquids and solids
Self-reactive substances or mixtures
Materials are considered health hazards if they cause:
Acute toxicity
Skin corrosion
Skin/eye damage or irritation
Respiratory, organ, or reproductive toxicity
Mutation of cells
Carcinogenicity
Chemicals are considered environmental hazards if they damage:
Aquatic environments
The ozone layer
Pictogram Descriptions
Exploding Bomb
These are chemicals and preparations that explode. A reactive substance that through its chemical reactivity is capable of producing a gas that can damage the surrounding environment due to its high temperature, pressure, and speed.
Explosives — which is a solid or liquid chemical capable of a chemical reaction that causes damage to the surroundings,
Self-Reactive — heating may cause fire or explosion without the need for air, or
Organic peroxides — again, heating may cause fire or explosion.
Flame
A material (gas, liquid, solid) that rapidly catches fire upon ignition or combustion.
Flammables – which are gases, aerosols, liquids, or solids that will burn or ignite under certain conditions,
Self-Reactive – heating alone, without air, may cause fire or explosion,
Pyrophoric – in small amounts, may ignite within 5 minutes after contact with air,
Self-Heating – which may catch fire only in large amounts and after long periods of time when exposed to air,
Emitters of flammable gas, and
Organic peroxides–which, when heated, may cause fire or explosion; may be sensitive to impact or friction; and may react dangerously with other chemicals.
Skull and Crossbones
Substances with a hazard of acute toxicity will have this symbol on their chemical label. Acute toxicity means that exposure to a single dose of the chemical may be toxic or fatal if inhaled or swallowed, or if it comes into contact with the skin.
Exclamation Mark
Used for hazards of lower grade severity in which the adverse effects are not as consequential.
Irritant–irritates the skin or eyes;
Skin sensitizer–which is an allergic response following skin contact;
Acute toxicity–which may be fatal or cause organ damage from a single short-term exposure;
Narcotic effects like drowsiness, lack of coordination, and dizziness; and
Respiratory tract irritation.
This pictogram is also used for chemicals that can cause consequential effects to the ozone layer.
Flame over Circle
This symbol on a chemical label means that the substance is an oxidizer. Oxidizers may cause or intensify a fire by increasing the concentration of oxygen in the air.
Gas Cylinder
This pictogram on a chemical label means that the substance is a compressed, liquefied, or dissolved gas under pressure at 29 pounds per square inch or more.
Corrosion
May be corrosive to metals; chemically reacts to damage or destroy other materials.
Skin Corrosion; irreversible damage to skin through chemical reactivity with substance.
Health Hazard
A chemical substance that upon exposure, may cause acute or chronic health effects.
Carcinogen–may cause cancer
Respiratory sensitizer–may cause respiratory irritation
Reproductive toxicity–may damage fertility or the unborn child
Target organ toxicity–may cause damage to bodily organs
Mutagenicity–may cause genetic defects
Aspiration toxicity–may be fatal if swallowed and it enters the airways
Environment
Chemical substance may contribute to disruption of aquatic ecosystems.
Individual GHS and ADG pictograms can be downloaded from The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) website.
References